Self Drive Hidden Gems of Ireland

Upon arrival to the Airport, collect your car rental.  Drive toward the Atlantic Coast to Galway City and check-in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a self-guided tour today in Connemara, an area famed for its wild natural beauty including sea, mountains, lakes and bog lands. An area of ever changing landscapes, this region is steeped in traditions – Irish language, traditional music, song and dance thrive here. As you drive through Connemara National Park, be sure to visit Kylemore Abbey. Built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, Kylemore Abbey was a gift to Henry’s wife after they honeymooned in the area. Today the Abbey is home to the order of Benedictine nuns. (B)

Enjoy a visit to the Aran Islands today. The three Aran Islands, Inis Oirr, Inis Maan and Inis Mor, are located off Galway Bay. Geologically akin to the Burren, they have no bogland, no lakes and hardly any trees.  Today, their inhabitants live on fishing and tourism mainly. Old gaelic customs are still very important for them and the Irish language is spoken on the islands. You will take the ferry to Inis Mor where you will be met on arrival be your guide and taken on a private horse and carriage ride across the island. Visit Dun Aengus fort, one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Western Europe. (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, depart Galway today and stop along the way in Sligo, known as ‘Yeats Country’. In Sligo town, enjoy the Sligo Oyster Town  Public Tour. This short walk through the town is guided by Sligo Bay  Oyster owner Aisling Kelly who will explain the history and current farming methods of harvesting oysters on the Wild Atlantic Way. An obligatory tasting of oysters is served with a glass of white wine for the non-driver. Continueing in Sligo, visit Lissadell House and Gardens. The estate is home to the Walsh family and much of the restoration has taken place in the house and gardens since 2004. The house is famous for being home to Countess Markiewicz, a key figure in Ireland’s 1916 rising and many notable guests since include Prince Charles, William Butler Yeats and Leonard Cohen who also performed there. Afterwards continue to Donegal and check-in to your hotel. (B)Note: Deluxe Class category applies as Junior Suite upgrade in Lough Eske Castle 

Start your day with a refreshing walk along the Slieve League Cliffs, standing at the top of which feels as if you are at the very edge of the world. Wild, dramatic and majestic, the towering cliffs are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Untouched natural landscape awaits you. Afterwards, stop at the Donegal Craft Village which is located close to Donegal town. Here you will see skilled independent handcrafters at work creating glass, hand woven textiles, paintings, jewellery and more. (B)

Donegal is a county known for its natural beauty and great crafts people. Breath-taking scenery, golden beaches, rugged islands and a lovely array of wildlife await you in this almost untouched landscape. Enjoy a visit to Glenveigh National Park and Castle, a 16000 hectare park nestled in the Derryveigh Mountains where there are lovely nature walks and a Scottish baronial-style castle which in the past enjoyed visits from celebrities including Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable! (B)

Today you will depart from Donegal and travel towards the midlands and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Near Drumshambo, enjoy a visit and join public gin tasting tour  at The Shed Distillery, famous for Gunpowder Gin. PJ Rigney is the founder and for his distillery he sought a wild, un-manicured location in  the heard of rural Ireland. Whiskey, gin and vodka are now distilled here all using wild grains, Irish flora and exotic botanicals. In the afternoon, visit Clonalis House a private family home of the O’Connor family who are direct descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland. Built in 1878, the house is built in a Victorian Italianate Style and includes a large collection of family portraits – all telling its unique and interesting stories. (B)

Today, enjoy a day trip to Athlone Town. Visit Athlone Castle a 13th Century Norman castle museum where you will learn about the history of the castle, the town and the surrounding area. Close to the quayside near the castle, depart on a Viking ship cruise on the River Shannon. The River Shannon is a main artery through Ireland. The Vikings arrived by river at Clonmacnoise in 842, 90 minutes downstream from Athlone and by ship it is the perfect approach to this famous monastic site. Clonmacnoise was founded in 547 by St. Ciaran and soon became a major centre of religion, craftsmanship and politics. (B)

Travel southwards to the shores of Lough Derg towards Tuamgraney. The panoramic views from the Ogonnelloe onto Lough Derg are an essential stop. Enjoy a visit and chocolate tasting at Wilde Irish Chocolates – an artisan factory making over 80 different handmade chocolates. See the chocolates being made and enjoy a delicious tasting! Before returning to your hotel, stop and visit Portumna Castle and Gardens, which occupies a magnificent location on the shores of Lough Derg. Built in the early 17th Centrury, the castle is an imposing example of Irish architecture. The approach to the castle is by way of a long avenue and formal gardens which include an old shrub rose garden and a walled kitchen garden. (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, drive Dublin or Shannon Airport, return your car rental and continue on to your next destination. (B)